The Mariners are unlikely to offer Hamilton the seven-year deal he is seeking, but they are perceived as willing to go longer than other teams that are interested in Hamilton — perhaps five or six years, the report says.

Josh Hamilton could be a Mariner in 2013. (AP Photo)

The Rangers may end up re-signing Hamilton, especially now that free agent pitcher Zack Greinke has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. But reports indicate Texas still is hot on the trail of the Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, a move that likely would preclude bringing Hamilton back.

That would leave an opening for the Mariners, a team desperately in the need of the kind of offensive boost the former AL MVP could offer.